Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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UNIVERSAL'S TOP-OF-THE-LINE HOTEL
evokes the Italian seaside city of
Portofino, complete with a man-made bay past the lobby. To Universal's credit, the
layout, color, and theming of the guest-room buildings are a good approximation of
the architecture around the harbor in the real Portofino (Universal's version has fewer
yachts, though).
Inside, the lobby is decorated with pink marble floors, white-wood columns, and
arches. The space is both airy and comfortable, with side rooms featuring seats and
couches done in bold reds and deep blues.
Most guest rooms are 450 square feet and have either one king bed or two queen
beds. King rooms sleep up to three people with an optional rollaway bed. Two room-
view options are available: “Garden” rooms look out over the landscaping and trees;
“bay view” rooms face either west or south and overlook Portofino Bay.
Rooms come furnished with a 32-inch LCD flat-panel TV, a refrigerator, a cof-
feemaker, and an alarm clock with a 30-pin iPhone docking port. Other amenities in-
clude a small desk with two chairs, a comfortable reading chair with lamp, a chest of
drawers, and a standing closet. Wi-Fi is $15 per day in guest rooms, free in the lobby.
Guest bathrooms at Portofino Bay are the best on Universal property. The shower
has enough water pressure to strip paint from old furniture, not to mention an ad-
justable spray nozzle that varies the water pulses to simulate everything from a trop-
ical monsoon to the thumps of wildebeest hooves during migrating season. We love
it.
Portofino Bay has three pools, the largest of which is the Beach Pool, on the west
side of the resort. Two smaller quiet pools sit at the far end of the east wing and to
the west of the main lobby. The Beach Pool has a zero-entry design and a waterslide
themed after a Roman aqueduct, plus a children's play area, hot tubs, and a poolside
bar and grill. The Villa Pool has private cabana rentals for that Italian Riviera feel-
ing. Rounding out the luxuries are a full-service Mandara Spa and a complete fitness
center with weight machines, treadmills, and more. On-site dining includes three sit-
